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Tossing around the idea of buying a Ruger 10/22 31236 Stainless Steel

demarpaint1

Talk me into or out of it. I'm in the kicking around phase of buying a semi automatic .22 rim fire rifle and I always wanted a 10/22. I read several reviews and stumbled upon a few people stating they shot bad, along and others complaints like jamming. They stated they cheapened the gun over the years, and quality suffered as a result. I realize this is the internet, and I'll leave it at that.

I'm not looking to customize it, just throw a scope on it and shoot it w/o any modifications. I prefer stainless steel and no sights, this model fits the bill. As always I'm open to suggestions, and TIA.
 
It seems that "most everybody" loves the 10/22; except me that is. I have two, one of their Target models with the heavy barrel and laminated stock. The other is a low end cheap-o with a plastic stock and no sights. First the Target is target in name only. Not any better than than the cheap-o 10/22 I have, Next the manual of arms is quirky with 10/22's. Bolt hold-open and release is a struggle for me. Magazines are a PITA to load and unload unless you buy Uplula tools. The trigger on the Target is OK, but I replaced the trigger in the cheap-o. So much for the negatives . . . My negatives, that is.

Good thing is you can buy all sorts of aftermarket stuff for 10/22's. You can make one into darn near anything you like. It's undeniable that plinking at cans with a 10/22 puts a grin on the face most adult children like me. I shoot the cheap-o with a red dot in ISSA plate matches and have a ball despite the manual of arms struggle. Reliable? Neither 10/22 has failed to feed, fire and eject. Ever.

Love 'em or hate 'em, everyone ought to have a 10/22. Just like an AK, they work but have their own odd personalities.
 
Got 2ea. Turned them both into BR bench guns and as expected, havn't fired either of them since the builds. They sure look :cool: :cool: .
Accuracy? Mostly adjusted with the proper ammo. You get it, you shoot it and find out for yourself.:D
And if you scope it, make sure the scope is for Rimfire AND 10/22!!
Had a Leupold that the cross came loose inside the tube while out shooting. Shipped it off for warrantee repair. Got it back with a different cross but it WAS fixed. Only lasted a few range trips, then came loose again. Sent it BACK for repair again. Few weeks later, got it back. This time, with the PROPER cross and a note stating, "this scope wasn't made for the RECOIL of the 10/22"!! RECOIL?? Whatever you call it, it did the # on the scope. Moved it over to one of my .221 Fireball rigs and no more scope issues. Got 25+ power rimfire scopes on both of the 10/22 rigs. :cool:
 
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My recent experience with the 10/22 is limited. They have put more plastic parts in them in recent years but I don't know if that has affected reliability.

I have one from the early 90s, and a couple from the early 2000s. Kept clean and lightly oiled, they are fairly reliable. The triggers could use some love. I prefer the little Volquartsen kit or the drop in BX-25 kit from Ruger.

The T models can be accurate but a factory built gun is always a gamble.
 
I thought everyone born since 1964 was issued one at birth. As far as I know nothing about the works of them has changed drastically since then. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)
I've got an odd one, 1966 finger grooved sporter, that has a nicer stock than standard, but I don't think that anything besides the stock is different than any other 10-22.

I helped my bro in law set a new one up with scope and mounts last year, and there was nothing wrong with it that I could find. It was s stainless with a light colored stock, and it shot -- just like a 10-22.

Mine has lived an extremely adventurous life, and been used hard and put away wet, and doesn't miss a beat. When everyone started putting new fancy (and expensive) barrels on them, the stock barrels started showing up at gunshots for 20-or 30 bucks, and I got a new barrel. And it shoots better than the old one. jd
 
Coyotefurharvester said:
I thought all shooters had/or need a 10/22, what happened?
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I have three bolt action rim fire 22's. I had a Marlin, semi auto my brother got somehow. My cousin had a 10/22 back in the 1970's IIRC, I enjoyed shooting it, but never bought one. From what I've been reading they did a bit of cost cutting, which is what prompted me to ask here.
 
At some point (dunno the date) Ruger switched to a plastic trigger body. Older 10-22’s had clunky triggers but the more recent ones are atrocious. Anyone contemplating a 10-22 purchase needs to include the cost of a replacement trigger in the purchase price.

I’ve seen some folks claim their unmodified 10-22’s shoot like a house afire. Personally never seen one group decent without extensive modifications.
 
I pretty much think that most 22's shoot great if there's nothing wrong with them. With most ammo, there are gonna be guaranteed fliers, and that's just the way it is. Except for the fliers, most are gonna shoot around an inch at 50, and 2" at a hundred. I think that's pretty good, but then I'm not a rimfire competitor. jd
 
NorCalMikie said:
If YOU try to modify the 10/22 trigger, be careful. You could end up with a rapid fire semi auto (3 or 4 + shots) with one squeeze of the trigger. :D :D :cool: :cool:
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I want to leave it as is. I realize it is a very customizable rifle, I was hoping to hear they shoot good out of the box, not a coin toss. All of my bolt action 22's shoot great. I realize this won't be as accurate as a bolt gun, but I would be disappointed if it shot 4-6" groups at 50 yards, like some of the guns I read about in my initial web search. I guess now I have to decide on taking that chance or not.
 
jds holler said:
I pretty much think that most 22's shoot great if there's nothing wrong with them. With most ammo, there are gonna be guaranteed fliers, and that's just the way it is. Except for the fliers, most are gonna shoot around an inch at 50, and 2" at a hundred. I think that's pretty good, but then I'm not a rimfire competitor. jd
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If I got one that shot like that I'd be happy with it.
 
demarpaint1 said:
Talk me into or out of it. I'm in the kicking around phase of buying a semi automatic .22 rim fire rifle and I always wanted a 10/22. I read several reviews and stumbled upon a few people stating they shot bad, along and others complaints like jamming. They stated they cheapened the gun over the years, and quality suffered as a result. I realize this is the internet, and I'll leave it at that.

I'm not looking to customize it, just throw a scope on it and shoot it w/o any modifications. I prefer stainless steel and no sights, this model fits the bill. As always I'm open to suggestions, and TIA.
Click to expand...
ive got two of the carbine models—. the older one fed very reliably then one year it quit and was plagued by jams. have worked on it but cant figure out what to do to fix it. some people have had them for a long time but i wonder if they just wear out? all 22LR models have aluminum receivers. some have stainless barrels.
 
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hoz53 said:
ive got two of the carbine models—. the older one fed very reliably then one year it quit and was plagued by jams. have worked on it but cant figure out what to do to fix it. some people have had them for a long time but i wonder if they just wear out?
Click to expand...
First step is try a different mag hoz. (prolly already have).
Over the years, I've shot some cheep-jazzed brands of ammo that were filthy and caused more problems. But generally mine has run pretty well considering the bazillion shots I've put through it. jd
 
hoz53 said:
ive got two of the carbine models—. the older one fed very reliably then one year it quit and was plagued by jams. have worked on it but cant figure out what to do to fix it. some people have had them for a long time but i wonder if they just wear out? i won one that looked like stainless but was polished aluminum. i dont think ruger makes one in stainless but of coarse the afermarket does.
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The model 31236 according their site is stainless steel with a 20" barrel. That's what caught my eye and got me interested in it.
 
jds holler said:
First step is try a different mag hoz. (prolly already have).
Over the years, I've shot some cheep-jazzed brands of ammo that were filthy and caused more problems. But generally mine has run pretty well considering the bazillion shots I've put through it. jd
Click to expand...
thanks JD— i did try that and basicly took the whole gun apart to try and fix it. i did find out the ejector is on the magazine with a backup one in the gun.
 
Funny story with this old one of mine. About forty years ago, It occurred to me that I hadn't cleaned this thing for --- ever. I'd never dissembled it or messed with it in any way, and it was disgusting.

Soooo, I tore it apart, and tossed the receiver and trigger assembly in a pan of water on the stove, and added a couple spoonfuls of the old cleaning powder called "SPIC N SPAN".
Well, let me tell ya, that cut the carbon and crud, clean as a whistle, and I now had a bright and shiny stainless look - before Ruger even came out with the stainless model. The Spic n Span totally removed the anodize or whatever finish was on the aluminum. I shined it up a bit with crocus cloth, and never looked back. :p
jdIMG_2008.jpeg
 
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